The Office of

Virtual Compline

According to the Use of Brent House, the Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Chicago

December 30, 2020

8:00 pm Central

(or, see other services)

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Feast of Thomas Becket (1119/1120–1170), Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr (Transfered from December 29)

Leaders: here’s the music for the collects.

How this service works

One complication of holding services over the internet is that congregational responses don’t really work. Instead, we’ll take turns being the “designated all” for different parts of the service: everyone else can follow along with their microphones muted. Since the office liturgies don’t require an ordained minister, we’ll also take turns as leader.

Please volunteer to take a part! We welcome anyone who’d like to participate, and we can teach you what to do: just get in touch with Philip if you’re interested.

There are more details about today’s service at the end.

At the Beginning of the Hour

Those designated sing an invitatory carol:

O Come, All Ye Faithful

The verses will be sung by:

  1. Stacy
  2. Philip
  3. Luke
  4. Hannah M.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - O Ad come, es De Sing, all te, um choirs ye fi de of faith de De an ful, les, o, gels, joy lae lu sing ful, ti, men in and tri de ex tri um lu ul umph phan mi ta ant, tes: ne, tion, O Ve 1. 2. 4. 3. 2. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 2. 4. 1. 3. 3. 4. 1. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 2. 1. 4. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 3. 1. 2. 4. 3. 4. 1. 3. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 2. 1. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - come ni Ge Sing, ye, te, stant all O ve pu ye come ni el cit i ye te lae zens to in of Beth Be vi heav’n le le sce a hem; hem; ra; bove; 1. 4. 3. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 4. 1. 3. 2. 2. 1. 3. 4. 4. 1. 4. 3. 2. 1. 4. 2. 4. 2. 3. 1. 1. 4. 3. 2. 1. 3. 2. 4. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Come Na De Glo and tum um ry be vi to hold de ve God, Him, te, rum, born re ge in the gem ni King an tum the of ge non an lo fa high gels: rum: ctum: est: 1. 3. 4. 2. 2. 4. 1. 3. 1. 2. 4. 4. 3. 2. 1. 3. 2. 1. 2. 4. 1. 3. 1. 2. 3. 2. 1. 3. 4. 1. 3. 2. 2. 3. 4. 1. 1. 3. 2. 4. - - - - - - - - - - - - - O Ve come, ni let te us a a do dore re Him, mus, O Ve come, ni let te us a a do dore re Him, mus, O Ve - - - - - - - - - come ni let te us a a do dore re Him, mus Christ Do the mi Lord. num.

Penitential Rite

Luke will serve as “all.”

- - The Lord Almighty grant us a peace ful night and a per fect end. Officiant - - A men. Our help is in the name of the Lord, All Officiant The maker of heaven and earth. All

Officiant:

Friends, it is in vain that we rise up so early, and go so late to rest, and eat the bread of anxiety: for God gives sleep to his beloved.

Dear God,
thank you for all that is good,
for our creation and for our humanity,
for the stewardship you have given us of this planet Earth,
for the gifts of life and of one another,
for your love, which is unbounded and eternal.

Let us come to God as one from whom no secrets are hidden, to ask for forgiveness and peace.

Those designated sing a conductus:

In Rama sonat gemitus

Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek, Cod. Guelf. 628 Helmst. (Heinemann-Nr. 677), fascicle 10

Luke, Hannah M., and Philip will sing as noted.

A cry is heard in Rama:
England, as Rachel, weeps,
for a son of Herod
treats one of her children ignominously.
Her firstborn, the Archbishop of Canturbury—
like Joseph, sold to Egypt—
is exiled and lives in France.

❦

Officiant:

May the God of Love have mercy on us, pardon us, and set us free. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. May God strengthen us in all goodness and keep us in life eternal.

All:

Amen

Officiant:

Beloved in Christ, in this Christmastide, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God, and let us make our houses glad with our carols of praise.

But first let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and health over all the earth; for unity and goodwill within the Church this Holy Child came to build, and especially in this country, within this University and City of Chicago, and in all of our communities:

All:

Amen

Officiant:

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold and the hungry, the abused, the exploited and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and them that mourn; the isolated, the lonely and the unloved; the elderly and the little children.

All:

Amen

Officiant:

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.

All:

Amen

Opening Sentences

Hannah M. will serve as “all.”

- - Turn us, O God our sav ior, And in thy love re store us. Officiant All O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant All - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi rit, Officiant - As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. A men. All - - - A le lu ia.

Those designated sing the Compline hymn:

Te Lucis ante Terminum
(Sarum Rite Plainchant, Festal Tone)

Hannah M. will sing verse 1, Philip will sing verse 2, and Luke will sing verse 3.

Before the end of the light,
we beg you, creator of all,
that you, with familiar mercy,
might be the leader of our care.

Let troubled dreams withdraw to the distance.
Silence our enemy
and all deceptions of the night,
that our bodies may rest secure.

Be present, omnipotent father,
through the Lord, Jesus Christ,
who with you forever
reigns with the Holy Spirit.

Psalmody

The psalm is sung antiphonally. You are invited to join either the “leader” or the “responder” part (with your microphone muted).

Luke will serve as leader and Hannah M. will serve as responder.

Antiphon: Have mercy on me, Lord, and hear my prayer.

- - - - - - - - Mi se ré re mi hi, Dó mi ne, Leader - - - - - - - - et ex áu di o ra ti ó nem me am.

Psalm 147 (NZPB)

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God:  *

Responder:

how pleasant and seemly it is to praise the Most High.

Leader:

You Lord are rebuilding Je-ru-salem: *

Responder:

and gathering the scattered ex-iles of Is-rael.

Leader:

You are healing the broken-heart-ed: *

Responder:

and binding up     their wounds.

Leader:

You count the number of the stars:  *

Responder:

and call them all by their names.

Leader:

Great are you, O Lord, and mighty your pow-er: *

Responder:

yes, and your wis-dom is in-finite.

Leader:

You raise up the low-ly: *

Responder:

and bring down the wicked to     the dust.

Leader:

Sing to the Lord in thanks-giv-ing: *

Responder:

make music on the harp to our God,

Leader:

who covers the sky with ◊ clouds, and prepares rain for the earth:  *

Responder:

making the hills green with grass and with plants for hu-man use.

Leader:

You, O Lord, give the cattle their food:  *

Responder:

and the young ravens when they call to you.

Leader:

You set no store by the power of a horse:  *

Responder:

nor by the strength of a war-ri-or’s thighs.

Leader:

But your delight is in those who re-vere you: *

Responder:

in those who rely on your mer-cy.

Leader:

Praise the Lord, O Je-ru-salem: *

Responder:

O holy city, praise     your God.

Leader:

For the Lord has strengthened the bars of your gates:  *

Responder:

and blessed your chil-dren with-in you.

Leader:

The Lord has established peace within your bor-ders: *

Responder:

and fed you amply with the fin-est wheat.

Leader:

You, O Lord, send your word to the earth:  *

Responder:

and your command runs ver-y swift-ly.

Leader:

You give snow like wool:  *

Responder:

and sprinkle hoar-frost like ashes.

Leader:

You scatter hailstones like bread-crumbs: *

Responder:

you send the cold, and the wa-ters stand fro-zen.

Leader:

You utter your word and the ice is melt-ed: *

Responder:

you blow with your wind and the wa-ters flow.

Leader:

You make known your word to Ja-cob: *

Responder:

your statutes and de-crees to Is-rael.

Leader:

You have not done this for any other na-tion: *

Responder:

nor have you taught them your laws.

Leader:

O praise the Lord.  *

Responder:

O praise     the Lord.

Leader:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, *

Responder:

and to the Ho-ly Spir-it,

Leader:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, *

Responder:

world with-out end. A-men.

Antiphon: Have mercy on me, Lord, and hear my prayer.

- - - - - - - - Mi se ré re mi hi, Dó mi ne, Responder - - - - - - - - et ex áu di o ra ti ó nem me am.

Lessons & Carols

Our reading tonight takes the form of a service of lessons and carols. The lessons are read “without announcement or conclusion.”

The reading begins:

Luke 2:4–7

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Those designated sing an antiphon:

Puer natus est nobis
Sarum Rite Plainchant
Text: Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 98:1a

Philip will sing part A and Hannah M. will sing part B.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.

The reading continues:

Luke 2:8–14

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Those designated sing a carol:

And Glory Shone Around

Words: Nahum Tate (1652–1715)
Tune: “Winchester Old” (1592)

The verses will be sung by:

  1. Luke
  2. Stacy
  3. Philip
  4. Hannah M.
- - - - - - While “Fear Thus “Al shep not,” spake glo herds said the ry watched he, ser be their for aph, to flocks might and God by y forth on night, dread with high all had ap and 1. 4. 3. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 4. 1. 3. 2. 1. 3. 4. 2. 1. 4. 3. 2. 4. 2. 1. 3. 3. 2. 4. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 3. 2. 4. - - - - - - - - - seat seized peared on ed their a the on trou shin earth the bled ing be ground, mind; throng peace; the “Glad of good an tid an will gel ings gels heance of of prais forth the great ing from 1. 4. 3. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 4. 2. 1. 3. 3. 2. 4. 1. 1. 3. 4. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 1. 4. 3. 2. 3. 2. 4. 1. 1. 4. 3. 2. 2. 1. 3. 4. - - - - - - - - Lord joy God, heav’n came I who to down, bring thus earth and to ad be glo you dressed gin ry and their and shone hu joy nev a man ful er round. kind.” song: cease.” 1. 3. 4. 2. 4. 1. 2. 3. 3. 1. 4. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 4. 3. 2. 1. 2. 4. 1. 3. 3. 4. 1. 2. 4. 3. 2. 1. 3. 1. 2.

The reading concludes:

Luke 2:15–20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Volunteers have recorded a carol:

Angels We Have Heard on High

Responsories

Hannah M. will serve as leader and Philip will serve as “all.”

- - - In to your hands, O Lord, I com mend my spi rit: Leader All - For you have re deemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. Leader - - - In to your hands, O Lord, I com mend my spi rit. All Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye; Leader Guard us in the shadow of your wings. All

All sing an aleatoric responsory:

Epitaph
Text by Sarah Williams; music by F.J. Haydn (details)

  1. Hannah M. sings the melody once, ending on “oo.”
  2. All join in the unison “oo” while Philip repeats the melody, ending on “oo.”
  3. Everyone sings the melody, starting at different times and moving at different speeds, ending by returning to “oo.”
  4. Once everyone is singing “oo,” gradually fade into silence.
- Though = c. 60 my soul may set in dark ness, - it will rise in per fect light: I have loved the stars too - - - fond ly to be fear ful of the night. Fear ful of the night. (oo)

Prayers

Stacy will serve as leader and Luke will serve as “all.”

- - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Christ, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Christ, have mer cy up on us, Christ, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader

The leader begins the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, Leader

All continue silently until “and lead us not …”:

… who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us …

and then conclude:

- - And lead us not into tempta tion, But deliver us from e vil. Leader All In peace, in perfect peace, I will lie down and sleep. Leader All - Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spi rit. Leader - - Let us praise and highly exault him forev er. All - Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of hea ven, Leader - And worthy of praise, and glorious, and highly exalted forev er. All May the almighty and merciful Lord preserve us Leader - - and give us his bles sing. A men. All

A moment of silence is kept.

Hannah M. will serve as leader and Luke will serve as “all.”

O God, we trust that you will turn and make us live, Leader - And your people will rejoice in you. Show us, O Lord, your mer cy, All Leader - And grant us your salva tion. Lord, grant us grace this night; All Leader - Guard us against all fail ings. Have mercy upon us, Lord. All Leader - Have mercy on us. Let your mercy, Lord, be o ver us, All Leader Just as we have hoped in you. Lord God of virtue, turn us, All Leader And show us your face, and we shall be safe. Lord, hear our prayer, All Leader And let our cry come to you. The Lord be with you. All Leader And also with you. All

The leader begins the collects:

Philip will serve as leader and Luke will serve as “all.”

Leader:

Let us pray:

Leader:

Almighty God,
who hast given us thy only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him
and to be born of a pure virgin:
Grant that we, being regenerate
and made thy children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;
through the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit
ever, one God, world without end.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

O most mighty and merciful God,
in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril;
give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick;
prosper the means made use of for their cure;
and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is,
we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom
which leadeth to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

Keep watch, dear Lord,
with those who work, or watch, or weep this night,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary,
bless the dying, soothe the suffering,
pity the afflicted, shield the joyous;
and all for your love’s sake.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord,
and by thy great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
through Jesus Christ our savior,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.

All:

- A men.

After the collects, we will keep a moment of silence to call to mind our concerns, reflections, intentions, and reasons for thankfulness. Those who wish to share them aloud will be invited to do so.

❦

Those designated sing a carol:

Silent Night

The verses will be sung by:

  1. Hannah M.
  2. Luke
  3. Stacy
  4. Philip
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Si Si Si Stil lent lent lent le night! night! night! nacht, Ho Ho Ho hei li ly ly ly ge night! night! night! Nacht! 1. 4. 3. 2. 1. 4. 3. 2. 2. 1. 3. 4. 2. 1. 3. 4. 4. 1. 3. 4. 2. 2. 1. 3. 4. - - - - - - - - All Shep Son Al is herds of les calm, quake God, schläft, all at love’s ein is the pure sam bright, sight; light wacht Round Glo Ra Nur yon ries diant das Vir stream beams trau te, gin from from hoch 1. 4. 3. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 4. 2. 1. 3. 3. 2. 4. 1. 1. 3. 2. 4. 2. 4. 3. 1. 2. 4. 3. 1. 2. 4. 3. 1. 3. 1. 2. 4. 4. 3. 1. 2. 4. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moth heav Thy hei er en ho li and a ly ge Child. far, face, Paar Ho Heav’n With Hol ly ly the der In hosts dawn Kna fant, of be so sing, re im ten “Al deem lo der le cki and lu ing gen mild. ia, grace, Haar, 1. 4. 3. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 4. 2. 3. 1. 3. 1. 4. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 3. 4. 2. 4. 1. 3. 2. 4. 3. 1. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 2. 4. 1. 2. 4. 3. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. - - - - - - - - - - - - Sleep Christ, Je Schlaf in the sus, in heav Sav Lord, himm en ior at li ly is Thy scher peace, born! birth, Ruh, Sleep Christ, Je Schlaf in the sus, in heav Sav Lord, himm en ior at li ly is thy scher peace. born!” birth. Ruh. 1. 4. 3. 2. 3. 2. 1. 4. 4. 2. 3. 1. 1. 4. 3. 2. 2. 3. 1. 4. 1. 3. 4. 2. 2. 1. 3. 4. 2. 1. 4. 3. 3. 2. 4. 1. 3. 1. 2. 4. 3. 2. 4. 1. 2. 1. 3. 4.

Canticle

The canticle is sung antiphonally. You are invited to join either the “leader” or the “responder” part (with your microphone muted).

Stacy will serve as leader and Luke will serve as responder.

- - Guide us wak ing, O Lord, and guard us sleep ing, Leader - that a wake we may watch with Christ, - and a sleep we may rest in peace.

Nunc Dimittis: Luke 2:29–32

incipit Leader Responder

Leader:

Lord, you     now have set your ser-vant     free *

Responder:

to go in peace as you have pro-mised,    

Leader:

For with     my eyes I have     seen *

Responder:

your sal-va-tion,    

Leader:

→ which you have pre-pared *

Responder:

before the sight of all peo-ple:    

Leader:

A light     to shine through all na    -tions *

Responder:

and the glory of your peo-ple,Isra-el.    

Leader:

Glo    -ry be to the Fa-ther, and to the     Son, *

Responder:

and to the Ho-ly Spi-rit,    

Leader:

As it     was in the be-gin-ning, is     now, *

Responder:

and will be fore-ver. A-men.    

- - Guide us wak ing, O Lord, and guard us sleep ing, Responder - that a wake we may watch with Christ, - and a sleep we may rest in peace.

Benediction

Luke will serve as “all.”

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Officiant All - - - The almighty and mer ci ful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spi rit, Officiant - bless us and keep us. A men. All

Those designated sing the Marian antiphon:

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Simple Tone

Philip will sing part A; Hannah M. will sing part B.

Nourishing mother of our redeemer,
gate of heaven,
star of the sea,
help your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature, you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
have compassion for us sinners.

It is traditional to end Compline with a few moments for silent reflection.